The Federation Internationale de Football Association serves as the international governing body for soccer. FIFA annually publishes the Laws of the Game, the international guide for referees.
United States Soccer Federation (USSF)
One of 169 member national soccer organizations within FIFA, the USSF is the governing body for soccer in the United States. USSF is composed of four divisions: Professional, US Amateur Soccer, Referee Association (not listed on the chart), and US Youth Soccer.
United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA)
The youth division of USSF is composed of 55 member state associations (one in each state, and two in California, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas). USYSA is divided into four geographical regions; administration is by an elected eight member Board of Directors, including a director from each region. In 1994 USYSA registered more than 2 million youth players between the ages of five and nineteen.